California?

[jonesthecurl]

So, just supposing an ancient Brit were considering moving to the Pacific side of the US, where exatly should he live? And what would be a dreadful choice? A major factor would be a good High School too.

[notyou2]

Just north of San Diego

[Sackett58]

Just north of San Diego

Alway's liked the topography of San Diego. Has a nice downtown(Gaslamp District). Next to the water. But the housing cost can be high depending on the location.

[IcePack]

This will largely be guided by life style and financial means. Plus are you looking any area specifically, southern Cali, Bay Area, nor cal, and everywhere in between can be very very different

[jonesthecurl]

Well, at the moment, we are just beginning to feel our way here. It's almost certain we'll be moving, and before the next school year begins too. Ideally we would like somewhere where you can walk places, somewhere with access to good food and drink, theatre, and suchlike. Nightlife is less important, though it'd be nice to have somewhere nearby with a comedy circuit. We're probably going to be renting a house for a coupla years, and then perhaps moving back to this side of the country (though that part is less certain). We need to be able to reach an international airport without too much trouble, and if there was a decent train service nearby that'd be a big bonus. Currently we live in a town of about 25000, and we think that's a nice size. I don't want to be right in the middle of a big city, and I don't want to be smewhere like my parents live, where they closed the school 'cos they only had 8 pupils.
California looks the most likely, taking climate and such into account, but we haven't really zeroed in further than that. If we decided somewhere else was attractive, Cali could be shelved.
We're not Beverley Hills rich, but we're not badly off.

[jonesthecurl]

by the way guys, when do High Schools start up after summer break in California?

[KoolBak]

Out of curiosity, why california? Purely objectively speaking, West Linn (OR) is about the best community in the pac nw....10 miles from portland.....check it out ;o)

COPY:

n 2011, the City of West Linn was the Top-Ranked Oregon City on the CNN/Money Magazine 'Best Places to Live 2011' List. Citing 'breathtaking views of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes,' the Number 69 listing includes a photo of Central Village, and also mentions the Music in the Park concert series, the historic Willamette area, the farmer's market, and the Street Dance. The City of Sherwood is the only other Oregon city to make the 2011 listing, coming in at Number 100. In 2009, the City of West Linn was included on the 'Best Places to Live 2009' list. Oregonians move to the hilltop homes here for a breathtaking view of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes. With Portland just 25 minutes away, most residents commute into the city during the week. Weekends are spent enjoying waterfront recreation: West Linn sits at the junction of two rivers. On summer evenings, residents enjoy picnic dinners over concerts in the park. Locals also flock to a revitalized downtown area, Historic Willamette, which offers a farmer’s market and, occasionally, dancing in the street.

In 2012, the City of West Linn was named Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the 19th year West Linn has earned this national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. “We all benefit when communities like West Linn place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud West Linn’s elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.”

[DoomYoshi]

Santa Monica is marvelous. It's a 50 min bus ride to LA and its theatre district, but you are basically at the modern epicenter of civilization.

[notyou2]

I liked Cardiff, California, quite close to San Diego and not too long a drive to LAX

[jonesthecurl]

Out of curiosity, why california? Purely objectively speaking, West Linn (OR) is about the best community in the pac nw....10 miles from portland.....check it out ;o)

COPY:

n 2011, the City of West Linn was the Top-Ranked Oregon City on the CNN/Money Magazine 'Best Places to Live 2011' List. Citing 'breathtaking views of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes,' the Number 69 listing includes a photo of Central Village, and also mentions the Music in the Park concert series, the historic Willamette area, the farmer's market, and the Street Dance. The City of Sherwood is the only other Oregon city to make the 2011 listing, coming in at Number 100. In 2009, the City of West Linn was included on the 'Best Places to Live 2009' list. Oregonians move to the hilltop homes here for a breathtaking view of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes. With Portland just 25 minutes away, most residents commute into the city during the week. Weekends are spent enjoying waterfront recreation: West Linn sits at the junction of two rivers. On summer evenings, residents enjoy picnic dinners over concerts in the park. Locals also flock to a revitalized downtown area, Historic Willamette, which offers a farmer’s market and, occasionally, dancing in the street.

In 2012, the City of West Linn was named Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the 19th year West Linn has earned this national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. “We all benefit when communities like West Linn place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud West Linn’s elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.”

Thanks, Koolbak. I did look , prompted by your post. I'm afraid the climate looks a bit too British there. And the winter nights too long. That's my favourite part of being further south. But we're not wedded to the idea of Cali, most of the things we do for money aren't bound to one place.
I have to say property looks a lot more affordable up there, which might even sway us when all factors are weighed up.

And thanks everyone for your answers. Keep em coming. I also got a suggestion from a fellow-comic that I trained with in NYC, and he says he grew up in Yorba Linda, which he sings the praises of. He lives nearby now in Irvine, so I guess he likes it there too. Any opinions?
Some places I have already eliminated purely on the performance of the High Schools. The curlette is bright and deserves a good school, so that has to be a major factor.
So where should I definitely avoid for any other reasons (crime, overcrowding, charmless, etc)? particular towns, cities, or portions of them... although we're more likely to be near a big city than actually in it.

[jonesthecurl]

Santa Monica is marvelous. It's a 50 min bus ride to LA and its theatre district, but you are basically at the modern epicenter of civilization.

Also property here ( I just looked) is, rent or buy, effing expensive. Up to 10 times more than other places (depending on how near to the water you are)

[notyou2]

If you don't move to Cardiff, I will be extremely upset. No telling what I might do.

[mrswdk]

Boyo might burn down jones's holiday cottage.

[notyou2]

Too far away.

[universalchiro]

The San Fernando Valley is an adjacent suburb over from LA and Valencia is two suburbs over. Prices drop the further away from LA proper. The San Fernando Valley has Encino, Chatsworth, North Hollywood, Granada Hills, etc. All great places to live with good schools and the University of Northridge.

Hope that helps.

[pimpdave]

San Jose or the surrounding area is absolutely the way to go.

[DoomYoshi]

Move into saxitoxin's villa.

[Phatscotty]

So, just supposing an ancient Brit were considering moving to the Pacific side of the US, where exatly should he live? And what would be a dreadful choice? A major factor would be a good High School too.

California is the dreadful choice, being one of the broken states that is in the process of closing many schools down, hospitals too. But maybe that is right up your alley given you seem to like the policies that is causing the closures.

Many Californians are fleeing the state cause their policies worked too good. California even lost a few seats in the House of Representatives, and they are set to lose a couple more. Along with some of the highest tax rates in America...I can see why you would choose Cali.

I have respect for you though. It's the ones who build all the 'progress' and then when it crashes in their face and ruins everyone else's life they move to another state only to start building their same progressive utopia all over again that I have a problem with.

[notyou2]

So, just supposing an ancient Brit were considering moving to the Pacific side of the US, where exatly should he live? And what would be a dreadful choice? A major factor would be a good High School too.

California is the dreadful choice, being one of the broken states that is in the process of closing many schools down, hospitals too. But maybe that is right up your alley given you seem to like the policies that is causing the closures.

Many Californians are fleeing the state cause their policies worked too good. California even lost a few seats in the House of Representatives, and they are set to lose a couple more. Along with some of the highest tax rates in America...I can see why you would choose Cali.

I have respect for you though. It's the ones who build all the 'progress' and then when it crashes in their face and ruins everyone else's life they move to another state only to start building their same progressive utopia all over again that I have a problem with.

Complain about taxes and then complain they are dropping services. Which side you on Scotty? Pick one and stick with it.

[Phatscotty]

So, just supposing an ancient Brit were considering moving to the Pacific side of the US, where exatly should he live? And what would be a dreadful choice? A major factor would be a good High School too.

California is the dreadful choice, being one of the broken states that is in the process of closing many schools down, hospitals too. But maybe that is right up your alley given you seem to like the policies that is causing the closures.

Many Californians are fleeing the state cause their policies worked too good. California even lost a few seats in the House of Representatives, and they are set to lose a couple more. Along with some of the highest tax rates in America...I can see why you would choose Cali.

I have respect for you though. It's the ones who build all the 'progress' and then when it crashes in their face and ruins everyone else's life they move to another state only to start building their same progressive utopia all over again that I have a problem with.

Complain about taxes and then complain they are dropping services. Which side you on Scotty? Pick one and stick with it.

I was telling Jonesy about the cutting of services in California despite the highest tax levels (somehow that is nothing to complain about?? LULZ), I was not complaining about California services. Use your mind and not your feelings those mix ups won't happen to you as much.

I live in Minnesota

[mrswdk]

And that's why the EUSSR is bound to fail before long.

[KoolBak]

[Phatscotty]

Portland Oregon is uber-Progressive as well. Nice weather, interesting people, I think they have the highest minimum wage in the country. Might want to buy your own health insurance privately though.

[TA1LGUNN3R]

Out of curiosity, why california? Purely objectively speaking, West Linn (OR) is about the best community in the pac nw....10 miles from portland.....check it out ;o)

COPY:

n 2011, the City of West Linn was the Top-Ranked Oregon City on the CNN/Money Magazine 'Best Places to Live 2011' List. Citing 'breathtaking views of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes,' the Number 69 listing includes a photo of Central Village, and also mentions the Music in the Park concert series, the historic Willamette area, the farmer's market, and the Street Dance. The City of Sherwood is the only other Oregon city to make the 2011 listing, coming in at Number 100. In 2009, the City of West Linn was included on the 'Best Places to Live 2009' list. Oregonians move to the hilltop homes here for a breathtaking view of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes. With Portland just 25 minutes away, most residents commute into the city during the week. Weekends are spent enjoying waterfront recreation: West Linn sits at the junction of two rivers. On summer evenings, residents enjoy picnic dinners over concerts in the park. Locals also flock to a revitalized downtown area, Historic Willamette, which offers a farmer’s market and, occasionally, dancing in the street.

In 2012, the City of West Linn was named Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the 19th year West Linn has earned this national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. “We all benefit when communities like West Linn place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud West Linn’s elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.”

Thanks, Koolbak. I did look , prompted by your post. I'm afraid the climate looks a bit too British there. And the winter nights too long. That's my favourite part of being further south. But we're not wedded to the idea of Cali, most of the things we do for money aren't bound to one place.
I have to say property looks a lot more affordable up there, which might even sway us when all factors are weighed up.

And thanks everyone for your answers. Keep em coming. I also got a suggestion from a fellow-comic that I trained with in NYC, and he says he grew up in Yorba Linda, which he sings the praises of. He lives nearby now in Irvine, so I guess he likes it there too. Any opinions?
Some places I have already eliminated purely on the performance of the High Schools. The curlette is bright and deserves a good school, so that has to be a major factor.
So where should I definitely avoid for any other reasons (crime, overcrowding, charmless, etc)? particular towns, cities, or portions of them... although we're more likely to be near a big city than actually in it.

Oregon's okay, I guess, lots of natural beauty and all that. Weather can alternate pretty quickly between nice and absolute shit.

DO NOT come to the western half if you have seasonal allergies or hay fever, or are otherwise allergic to grass pollen. The willamette valley pretty much has the highest grass pollen count in the world (right up there if not the highest), and wreaks havoc on you. I'm in hell from like mid-February to late June.

-TG

[jonesthecurl]

Out of curiosity, why california? Purely objectively speaking, West Linn (OR) is about the best community in the pac nw....10 miles from portland.....check it out ;o)

COPY:

n 2011, the City of West Linn was the Top-Ranked Oregon City on the CNN/Money Magazine 'Best Places to Live 2011' List. Citing 'breathtaking views of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes,' the Number 69 listing includes a photo of Central Village, and also mentions the Music in the Park concert series, the historic Willamette area, the farmer's market, and the Street Dance. The City of Sherwood is the only other Oregon city to make the 2011 listing, coming in at Number 100. In 2009, the City of West Linn was included on the 'Best Places to Live 2009' list. Oregonians move to the hilltop homes here for a breathtaking view of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes. With Portland just 25 minutes away, most residents commute into the city during the week. Weekends are spent enjoying waterfront recreation: West Linn sits at the junction of two rivers. On summer evenings, residents enjoy picnic dinners over concerts in the park. Locals also flock to a revitalized downtown area, Historic Willamette, which offers a farmer’s market and, occasionally, dancing in the street.

In 2012, the City of West Linn was named Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the 19th year West Linn has earned this national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. “We all benefit when communities like West Linn place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud West Linn’s elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.”

Thanks, Koolbak. I did look , prompted by your post. I'm afraid the climate looks a bit too British there. And the winter nights too long. That's my favourite part of being further south. But we're not wedded to the idea of Cali, most of the things we do for money aren't bound to one place.
I have to say property looks a lot more affordable up there, which might even sway us when all factors are weighed up.

And thanks everyone for your answers. Keep em coming. I also got a suggestion from a fellow-comic that I trained with in NYC, and he says he grew up in Yorba Linda, which he sings the praises of. He lives nearby now in Irvine, so I guess he likes it there too. Any opinions?
Some places I have already eliminated purely on the performance of the High Schools. The curlette is bright and deserves a good school, so that has to be a major factor.
So where should I definitely avoid for any other reasons (crime, overcrowding, charmless, etc)? particular towns, cities, or portions of them... although we're more likely to be near a big city than actually in it.

Oregon's okay, I guess, lots of natural beauty and all that. Weather can alternate pretty quickly between nice and absolute shit.

DO NOT come to the western half if you have seasonal allergies or hay fever, or are otherwise allergic to grass pollen. The willamette valley pretty much has the highest grass pollen count in the world (right up there if not the highest), and wreaks havoc on you. I'm in hell from like mid-February to late June.

-TG

Thank you VERY much for that advice. That's extremely useful for me, the Great Green Arkleseizure of hayfever sufferers.